This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
They're gathered in circles
the lamps light their faces
The crescent moon rocks in the sky
The poets of drumming
keep heartbeats suspended
The smoke swirls up and then it dies
Would you like my mask?
would you like my mirror?
cries the man in the shadowing hood
You can look at yourself
you can look at each other
or you can look at the face of your god
The stories are woven
and fortunes are told
The truth is measured by the weight of your gold
The magic lies scattered
on rugs on the ground
Faith is conjured in the night market's sound
Would you like my mask?
would you like my mirror?
cries the man in the shadowing hood
You can look at yourself
you can look at each other
or you can look at the face of your god
The lessons are written
on parchments of paper
They're carried by horse from the river Nile
says the shadowy voice
In the firelight, the cobra
is casting the flame a winsome smile
Would you like my mask?
would you like my mirror?
cries the man in the shadowing hood
You can look at yourself
you can look at each other
or you can look at the face of your god
the lamps light their faces
The crescent moon rocks in the sky
The poets of drumming
keep heartbeats suspended
The smoke swirls up and then it dies
Would you like my mask?
would you like my mirror?
cries the man in the shadowing hood
You can look at yourself
you can look at each other
or you can look at the face of your god
The stories are woven
and fortunes are told
The truth is measured by the weight of your gold
The magic lies scattered
on rugs on the ground
Faith is conjured in the night market's sound
Would you like my mask?
would you like my mirror?
cries the man in the shadowing hood
You can look at yourself
you can look at each other
or you can look at the face of your god
The lessons are written
on parchments of paper
They're carried by horse from the river Nile
says the shadowy voice
In the firelight, the cobra
is casting the flame a winsome smile
Would you like my mask?
would you like my mirror?
cries the man in the shadowing hood
You can look at yourself
you can look at each other
or you can look at the face of your god
Lyrics submitted by Nightweaver
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cool song..her voice is beautiful
I think this has something to do with hope
Loreena Mckennitt on this song, from the CD booklet:
"March 16, 1993 - Arrived tonight in Marrakesh and am staying on the edge of the market. It is Ramadan and there is heightened activity all around. I am struck by the hooded features of men as they pass through the lights and shadows: they look monk-like. Horses, carriages, cars, bicycles and thousands of people are embroiled in the activities of the night...a cacophony of sound. I retreat to a rooftop cafe to watch while sipping mint tea...many circles of twenty or so people are scattered around the market, each involved in their own drama of music, storytelling, monkeys on men's shoulders, or cobras being coaxed to "dance" on rugs; "magic" concoctions of bone, seeds, stones and spices are sold...women are veiled to a great degree...I am struck by the sense of intrigue the environment creates; as much is concealed as is revealed..."
@opheliasong You make it very clear.
The meaning of the song, in my humble opinion, is timeless and universal, reflecting the very human nature and behaviour.
Every human being, in their interpersonal relationships, which sometimes can be unexpected and form the "circles" (meaning our close or overall social network), can without remorse – or sometimes unconciously - carry a "mask" or a "mirror" in front of their faces since our true feelings are "suspended" and guided by the surrounding sounds (media lets say, other more noteable people etc).
We are all hiding our inner self from each other (mask) or wishing to present the appealing form to be more likeable in our relationships, such as the one in the reflection (mirror) that the other persons are to accept. Many of us, cannot afford either of both and we are considered to be false since the truth is "measured by the weight of your gold". Also, one perhaps can buy both and be involved in a process of self-discovery or inspection, that is finding the "face" of their God.
The overall situation I am trying to describe seems magical by nature since it is not well understood. People arrive and leave from our lives almost mysteriously. We gain experience and become more wise. As a resort, since sometimes experience can be painful, we might become more religous or faithful to ones beliefs.
We learn by our mistakes because some people may come and leave with bad intentions. The "lessons" follow a well determined and common path for everyone. Life is an endless fight and the paradigm of "cobra" seems to be a proper one to choose to carry through.